In this post: If you love French chairs, you’ll love the shopping guide for affordable French country accent chairs, including bergeres and other French style armchairs.⇒
There’s nothing that says French Country quite like a Louis XVI armchair.
I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with French chairs, but I fell hard and have been smitten ever since. I think most love affairs with French decor began with French chairs.
These beauties run the gamut from unabashedly ornate to a much more updated, and comparatively understated version. They can be dark wood, distressed paint in white or light tones, or sophisticatedly gilded.
There are bergeres and fauteuils, throne chairs and more. They can be baroque or neoclassical, influenced by the various Louis kings. Some have curved legs, others are fluted; some have cane backs others are upholstered; some have tufting and others are smooth.
They can be carved with flourishes, as the vintage more authentic pieces are.
Yet in recent years reproductions have become quite popular. While influenced by the originals, they are much cleaner and more attuned to a modern way of life.
They are plush and more comfortable than the diminutive versions of the past.
These beautiful accent chairs can cost a fortune, but boy do they make a statement in a room! While I love antiques, sometimes you can make the same impact with reproductions, especially if you mix them with genuine vintage accessories in your room.
Fortunately, there are some great budget choices available that are influenced by this style, so today let’s look at affordable French chairs that can add lovely French flair to your home.
Now, since everything is relative, I recognize that one person’s budget chair is another person’s wish list chair.
For our purposes here, I’m defining an affordable accent chair as definitely under $1000, with most under $500 (and several closer to $300). There’s one chair that’s a bit more but it’s included because it’s the only one I could find that’s similar to a chair I own and am asked about all the time.
Given that many similar upholstered chairs, including reproductions, can easily cost up to $2000, that still seems like a bargain to me!
Happy shopping!!
French Country Chairs Source List
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
Please note that stores are constantly changing their stock, so I try to update this post frequently. If you find several items are no longer available, feel free to alert me as I can usually track them down elsewhere.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
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These are all such beautiful chairs, Lory! I have a couple in storage that I need to have reupholstered. You’ve inspired me to get them done!
Oh, definitely go for it!!… 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, Lory. I do love a beautiful French chair, and these are fantastic prices!!!
My pleasure, Shannon! Thanks for visiting… 🙂
WE HAVE FOUR (TWO DIFFERENT STYLES) FRENCH CHAIRS, SO I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT THE PRICES, BUT THEY ARE SO PRETTY AND AIRY LOOKING. THE TWO IN OUR FAMILY ROOM LOOK VERY MUCH LIKE YOUR TWO IN YOUR LIVING ROOM AND THE TWO IN OUR MASTER BEDROOM ARE FAUTEUILS WITH CANE BACKS. I LOVE THEM ALL, AND THEY MIX NICELY WITH OUR ENGLISH PIECES. THANKS FOR SHARING…ALWAYS ENJOY SEEING A FRENCH CHAIR! HUGS!
Thanks, Bobbi!! I love them too… 🙂
Merci!
I was just looking for this exact style of chair! (Actually for a pair for our living room) and your selections are fabulous- several of these would fit the bill
Thanks for sharing
Cheers!
Thanks so much! Glad it worked for you… 🙂
With all due respect, the only Louis XVI chair is the one with straight legs. All of the others are Louis XV. There are substantial differences in the style. Hope this helps.
Thank you, but the post doesn’t say these are Louis XVI chairs. It says “there are some great budget choices available that are *influenced* by this style”.
So many pretty options and all within a reasonable budget! Thanks for the sources!
Thanks, Nancy!!
All beautiful, and I am considering one of them for my living room alcove to go with a desk. I noticed the seat height varies from 17.5″ to 20.5″. What is the correct seat height for a desk chair? All the desks I’ve looked at are a standard 30″ in height. The chair I like has a seat height of 17.5″. Will that work?
Thanks for stopping by, Annie! I think desk chairs are best at about 17 1/2″ – 18″, but it definitely depends on a person’s comfort (which is why many desk chairs are adjustable). I have one chair at a desk that’s 19″ seat height and I think it’s a little too high. Also, most of these chairs are arm chairs, so they’re really more living room accent chairs than desk chairs, but for a seldom used desk, it could be a nice look.
Please let me know where and how can i purchase one.
Just click on the links of the ones you like and it will take you directly to the online shop where you can purchase it… 🙂
Where the link/ website for these chairs? I am looking to buy a pair of them?
I just updated the links. If there’s one in particular you can’t find, please let me know which one.
Lory,
Would Overstock be perhaps another?
This is a bit off topic, but Pottery Barn had some awesome sales recently especially on their birch candles with timers. We love ours! They are pricey even on sale, but so worth it to see them come on at night!
Ours are near the fireplace and the shadow thrown makes it look like a luminary hanging wreath hanging over the sides of the mantel. Most of our children have remarked on it absentmindedly asking where we purchased the new wreath. 😉
It is good to keep an eye out or sign up a few places to give to best chance at purchase!
I found the deal of a lifetime at the Habitat ReStore in Vero Beach, FL. A pair of Schumacher bergere chairs were marked $200 each! On that day, all upholstered furniture was half price, less my senior citizens discount, and another 5% discount, I paid about $200 for both chairs. I loved them but the 1970’s fabric and color of the wood was ugly. So, after I refinished them and had them reupholstered, they are gorgeous. I think every home with a French style needs a pair of accent chairs and you have shared some fabulous choices at affordable prices. Love your blog!
I so agree!!